Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, says he has planned to meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa in Brussels on Wednesday.
The meeting is expected to boost relations with the bloc.
Trudeau’s trip was announced days after the U.S. suspended its planned tariffs of up to 25per cent on imports from Canada and Mexico after both countries agreed to new border security measures.
With the threat of U.S tariffs looming, Trudeau is focusing on the EU, Canada’s second largest destination for goods and services exports after the U.S…
The meeting in Brussels was to help secure a strong, prosperous future for people on both sides of the Atlantic, a statement released said.
Trade between Canada and the EU reached a total of Canadian 157.3 billion dollars (109.8 billion dollars) in goods and services in 2023, according to the Canadian government.
In spite of an increase in trade in recent years, commercial relations between the EU and Canada are not untainted.
A far-reaching free trade agreement provisionally entered into force in 2017.
The deal however still has not been ratified by all 27 EU member states, meaning it can only be partially applied.
Other topics to be discussed include trans-Atlantic security and support for Ukraine.
Trudeau would also meet NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to “reaffirm Canada’s commitment to working with the Alliance to uphold democracy, peace and security,’’ a statement said. (dpa/NAN)
